Chapter 75: The Request of Consort Hui

Suddenly, a clear and cold voice rang out, “What’s going on here?”

“Your Highness, the Princess!” The imperial guards knelt down in unison, paying their respects with reverence.

Shen Yan turned her head to look, and her expression changed slightly.

Princess Pingyao, dressed in a dark garment with a red cloak, approached with a long and upright posture, exuding a strong aura. The corners of her mouth held a hint of a mocking smile, “So it’s the newly entered Consort Hui, wishing to see the Emperor?”

Shen Yan instinctively took a step back, “I heard that the Emperor is unwell, and as his Consort, it is my duty to attend to him.”

Princess Pingyao smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes, “Consort Hui is truly virtuous. However, Consorts should adhere to the rules of Consorts. The Imperial Bedchamber is the Emperor’s private quarters, and entering without summons is overstepping your bounds. If you were favored, it might be tolerated, but if not, you could be punished at any moment.”

Shen Yan lifted her chin, unwilling to show weakness, “I haven’t even seen the Emperor, how can you know I’m not favored?”

Princess Pingyao sneered lightly, “If you are favored, why not call the Emperor out to see you?”

Shen Yan was furious, “You!”

Princess Pingyao turned to Shen Yan’s maids, commanding coldly, “Escort Consort Hui back. Next time, don’t let her wander around, or you’ll be punished together.”

The eunuchs nervously invited Shen Yan to her sedan chair.

Princess Pingyao waved her hand, “Continue guarding. I’ll return to the Princess’s residence to prepare. I’m getting married the day after tomorrow and have no time to linger here.”

It’s really annoying.

She should be enjoying the company of three thousand beauties in the Princess’s residence, but her uncle, the Regent, insisted on making her some kind of commander, forcing her to shuttle between the Princess’s residence and the palace, and witness these fools’ suicidal antics, truly a waste of time and mood.

Whether Shen Yan will become a scapegoat remains to be seen.

The next morning, however, when she sent someone to deliver a message, Shen Ning was taking the pulse of Ji Yucang. Upon hearing the report from the nursemaid, she remained silent for a long time.

It wasn’t until the eunuch who had come to deliver the message grew anxious and hurriedly arrived at the Jade Hall, standing outside the door, that he spoke in a low and humble voice, “Reporting to the Regent’s Princess, today Consort Hui has also summoned Yan Zheng, the sister of the Left Prime Minister’s residence. Her Highness’s intention is for you and Yan Zheng to enter the palace together for tea and conversation, to alleviate the loneliness and desolation within the palace.”

These words were well-spoken, with a respectful and cautious attitude, without the slightest hint of arrogant coercion, yet they pointed out the fact that Yan Zheng was also going, causing Shen Ning to be somewhat cautious.

After all, on the territory of the Regent’s residence, an eunuch delivering a message wouldn’t dare to speak loudly. His life was worthless, and he could be snuffed out at any moment.

Inside the room, Shen Ning’s expression turned cold, “That sister of mine has probably had a few comfortable days and really thinks she’s a high and mighty imperial Consort.”

Ji Yucang, dressed in a simple white undergarment, leaned against the headboard, “Do I need to take off my clothes?”

Shen Ning gently held his wrist pulse for a moment before withdrawing her hand and turning to pick up the silver needles that Ling Feng had borrowed earlier.

“The Empress Dowager probably calculated that today is the day your poison will act up.” Shen Ning sat on the edge of the bed, wiping the silver needles clean with cotton cloth soaked in alcohol, “I guess it’s about the matter of Qin Yanshu.”

Ji Yucang remained silent, quietly taking off his clothes and lying down on the bed.

Perhaps due to being forced to expel poison with silver needles by Shen Ning last month, this time the onset of the poison didn’t feel as violent, and the pain wasn’t as unbearable. However, the discomfort of the poison acting up left him feeling lethargic and not very talkative.

Shen Ning’s gaze fell upon his strong and lean body. Last month’s situation was quite perilous, and she was only focused on detoxifying him, not really paying attention to his body.

Today, after a careful examination, she sincerely commented, “The physique of martial artists in this world is the most attractive, and Your Highness’s physique is even better than that of ordinary warriors, with every inch perfectly toned.”

There were no excessively intimidating chest muscles, no bulky and short stature, nor was he a skinny and weak scholar. Instead, he had a tall and powerful physique, with a firm chest and a narrow waist, as if every inch contained an undeniable strength.

“Is this humble body of mine satisfactory to the Princess?” Ji Yucang noticed her scrutinizing gaze and turned his head, looking at her with a hint of a smile, “Are there any shortcomings?”

Upon hearing this, Shen Ning showed no embarrassment at being caught staring. Instead, she looked at him even more brazenly, “Although there are no shortcomings, even the most perfect appearance and body can become tiresome after a while. At this moment, I find myself somewhat envious of Princess Pingyao’s good fortune.”

“Is that so?” Ji Yucang’s eyes narrowed slightly, “The imperial family is the model for the world. I haven’t really restrained her outrageous behavior before, but perhaps I should in the future, lest all the women in the world follow her example—”

“If all women could follow her example, it would be a blessing for them.” Shen Ning interrupted him and inserted a needle into a major acupoint on his chest, “Unfortunately, women have been suppressed for too long, unable to stand on their own. Not only will they not learn from her, but they might even join in condemning and cursing Princess Pingyao’s outrageous behavior.”

The practice of men having multiple wives and concubines is considered the norm, while women are expected to be gentle and virtuous, faithful to one man throughout their lives.

As a descendant of the imperial family and with a protective talisman bestowed by the late Emperor, Princess Pingyao’s behavior has still attracted numerous impeachments and condemnations. If she were an ordinary woman, she might have been drowned in a pond long ago.

The world is full of too many injustices.

No one can choose whether they are born male or female. Similarly, as a newborn, innocent and unaware, the moment they leave the mother’s body, they are subjected to completely different destinies for men and women, which is also laughable.

Ji Yucang remained silent for a moment, not speaking.

The concept of male superiority and female inferiority has been passed down for thousands of years, not something that can be easily changed. Even though he is the powerful Regent, able to use his authority to make people obey and force them to submit, he cannot change the deeply ingrained perceptions of the world.

Princess Pingyao is the only exception.

“Pingyao’s mother was never one to strictly follow the rules.” He said calmly, “Pingyao was raised by this mother from a young age. On one hand, she was influenced by her mother’s temperament, and on the other, because she was the most favored among all the Princesses, it’s not surprising that she developed a rebellious and unconventional nature.”

Shen Ning pondered, “It seems that this Consort Sheng was also an extraordinary woman.”

Ji Yucang hummed in agreement, not wishing to discuss the deceased too much.

Shen Ning focused on administering the needles to him. Outside, the eunuch delivering the message spoke again, “Regent’s Princess Consort, this servant—”

“Don’t speak yet.” Shen Ning raised her voice, “Wait outside. I’ll go with you to the palace once I’m done.”

The eunuch moved his lips, wanting to say something more, but his gaze fell upon the dozen guards outside the Jade Hall, especially noticing a familiar figure—Ling Feng, the Regent’s personal bodyguard.

He immediately dared not urge her further and waited obediently.

This wait lasted nearly half an hour.

It wasn’t until Ji Yucang spat out a mouthful of black blood and Shen Ning meticulously packed away the silver needles that she stood up, opened the door, and handed the needle box back to Ling Feng.

“Regent’s Princess Consort.” The eunuch had waited anxiously and, upon seeing Shen Ning come out, finally sighed in relief and spoke urgently, “Consort Hui must be waiting anxiously. Please accompany this servant to the palace.”

Shen Ning looked at him coldly, “Has Yan Zheng entered the palace?”